Timothy Olorunfemi, King of Okra!

 
Abelmoschus Esculentus (Common okra)
 
 
Our friend and colleague, Timothy Olorunfemi, from the International Rescue Committee in Phoenix, Arizona, is deservedly known as the “King of Okra.” Through Tim’s efforts, the James Golo Family Farm—an IRC RAPP client—landed a contract with Johnny’s, an organic wholesaler and retailer of organic plants, seeds, and garden paraphernalia.
 
When Tim relayed his plans to “get into okra”, I was doubtful about his ability to unload what, to me, is a pretty limited vegetable. Sure, you can put it into gumbo, but otherwise, it’s just a slimy green thing.  What can you do with all that Okra?
 
Here in the South, there are lots of things to do with okra. I pass along this personally tested recipe, in case your farmers and market gardeners need a recipe to convince wary customers to buy the stuff.
 
One and a half cups of yellow cornmeal
A bit of salt
A bit of black pepper and a bit of red pepper
One HALF cup of milk
One large egg
Three cups of chopped (one inch slices) okra
Cooking spray
 
Pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees. Combine the cornmeal and the salt and peppers in a shallow dish. Set aside.
 
Combine the egg and the milk in a large bowl, and mix it up! Add the okra and toss to coat. Let the okra stand (rest?) in the bowl for three minutes.
 
Dredge the okra in the cornmeal mixture and place it on a cookie sheet covered with the cooking spray. Lightly spray the okra with the cooking spray and bake for 40 minutes, turning once. It serves eight at your house, and four at my house.
 
Giving customers recipe cards is a successful, tried and true strategy for helping your refugee clients increase sales when they go to market. The strategy has worked especially well for Hmong farmers who have introduced bitter melon, and other Asian treats, into the US. Why not try it with okra, especially on customers who live in the North?
 
TGIF! We here at ISED hope you have a safe and happy weekend gardening, visiting a farmers’ market, or otherwise having a really good time.  Maybe your plans will include some okra!